"I have good news for you both," he said, "and, not to go about the bush, you are both promoted to be lieutenants.
"And," he added, "you can go home in the D——, which will sail from Port Phillip a month hence, and take up your commissions."
Both the young fellows smiled joyously and thanked him.
"Well, sir," said Creggan, "is it absolutely necessary that I should go home? Could you not grant me leave to remain in the dear old Osprey, mess in the gun-room, and see all that is to be seen until the paddler is ordered home?"
The admiral laughed right heartily.
"Well," he said, "it is the drollest application ever I heard. What about you, Mr. Wickens?"
"Oh please, admiral, I'll go home."
"Then I grant you leave to stay, Mr. M'Vayne. But I have still better news to give you.
"Commander Flint," he added with that pleasant smile of his, "under whom you served, and whose life you saved in a particularly gallant way, has been moving heaven and earth, and Whitehall as well, to obtain for you the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery in presence of the foe. And I think I can assure you he will be successful, so you may look forward, Mr. M'Vayne, to having that grand decoration conferred on you by the hands of our dear Queen herself."
Creggan felt himself growing red and white by turns. He could only blurt out a few words which I dare say were very stupid. But the admiral laid a kindly hand on his shoulder.